Top 5 Russian upcoming defence innovations

Aug 23 2013

Ekaterina Turysheva

RIR

More than 250 participants of the “RF Defense Ministry Innovations Day” presented advanced developments designed for introduction into the Russian Armed Forces. Source: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation / mil.ru

RIR presents the five most interesting innovations that were on display at a Defence Ministry exhibition in Moscow this week.

On August 20, an exhibition titled “RF Defense Ministry
Innovations Day,” was held in Moscow. It was the first to showcase cutting-edge
defence developments. More than 250 participants assembled on the grounds of
the CSKA Light-Athletic Football Complex, where they presented advanced
developments designed for introduction into the Russian Armed Forces. We present the 5 most interesting innovations
from exhibition.

T-80 inflatable tank

An inflatable tank – the mock-up T-80 - was situated directly
outside the entrance to the complex where the exhibition was held. According to
the manufacturers, such objects are used for misleading enemy
reconnaissance.

Similar “tanks” are already being produced in China. However,
the Russian model offers a number of advantages over the competitor’s. The
inflatable T-80, in contrast to analogous Chinese versions, is “leaky,” which
means the Russian “tank” does not deflate if there is mechanical damage. In addition, the fake tank has parts that warm up in the engine and exhaust area
where heat would be detected on a real tank. This helps to trick the infrared
detection equipment of enemy scouts.

The inflatable tank fits easily into a small pouch and can be
unfurled in ten minutes with a special pump.

Exoatlet exoskeleton

An exoskeleton of Russian manufacture was one of the first
inventions presented before the soldiers’ court. The apparatus enhances a
person’s capabilities, making it possible for him to haul up to 100 kilos of
weight while putting minimal stress on the body – all without the use of
electricity.

“The mechanical knee
joints lock at the moment of motion. As a result, all of the weight that once
fell on the individual now presses on the device, completely bypassing him,”
explained the Director of the Laboratory for the Development of an Exoskeleton,
Aleksandr Formalski.

Taking on the weight of a soldier’s equipment and weapons,
such an apparatus makes fighters several times more mobile and hardy.

Logos virtual battlefield
simulator

At the exhibition soldiers tested the complex tactical
simulators of the Logos mechanised infantry company. They already underwent
state testing in December 2012 and are currently being prepared for
introduction into the army arsenal.

“It is a good help to
a commander in training his subordinates for tactical actions on the field. It
makes it possible to train soldiers before they enter the field or are given
weapons,” said Senior Lieutenant Evgeni Derevjankin, sharing his impressions
while personally testing the new development. The simulator is offered in two
versions: computer and iron, which fully mirrors the situation in a combat
vehicle.

Argus-Spectrum developed the Sentinel bracelet, which serves
as a warning device, and presented it at the exhibition. According to the
developers, if a person wearing the bracelet stops moving or is kidnapped, a
signal reaches headquarters with this information. If he sees someone
suspicious approaching, he can press the bracelet’s panic button.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has already ordered
military units covering the Caucasus to wear such bracelets in preparation for
the Olympics in Sochi. The Defence Minister was especially impressed that the
new product could ensure the security of ordinary conscripts as well as
professional soldiers.

Mantos gel cape

Yet another military innovation presented was the Mantos fire-extinguishing
gel cape. “At the moment there is not a single army equipped with these gel
capes. These make it possible to extinguish Class A (burning solids) and B
(burning liquids) fires,” stated Marianna Skragan, the development director for
Complex Security Technology company. She added that the cape can put out a
flame on a person in two seconds flat.

This product may also be used to extinguish fires in the
engine compartments of military equipment. Sergei Shoigu has already proposed
equipping all Russian tank crews with such capes.